Special Olympics Gateshead is a registered charity - a sporting club, which provides weekly sports training for people with disabilities in Gateshead, primarily for people with learning disabilities, though, also for people with physical disabilities and mental health conditions. Special Olympics Gateshead has qualified coaches who provide training in 10 mainstream sports; Archery, Athletics, Boccia, Cycling, Football, Netball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowing and Powerlifting in mainstream facilities such as Gateshead Leisure Centre and Gateshead International Stadium. From such training, 47 athletes have been primed to represent their region in local and national competitions. Since taster sessions began in December 2013, 232 people with disabilities have participated in sessions. A predominant objective of the sporting club is to ensure people with disabilities can fulfil their sporting aspirations and have the same opportunities to maximise their sporting talent as much as people without disabilities. 71 medals have been won by the sporting club since its launch date in May 2014, with 6 of those medals being gained at the National Cycling Championships in August 2014 in Greater Manchester. The sporting club featured as a finalist in the North East Care Awards 2014 and North East Equality Awards 2014 and has 5 athletes attending the North East Disability Sports Awards in February 2015.